vikileigh

I'm the most recent of alumni: just finished a few weeks ago. Was it enjoyable? Well, it's 26 credit hours (approx) every 10 weeks. It's intense. I think it might have been more enjoyable to do it slower, but you trade some of your 'joy of learning' for that incredibly quick 11 month turnaround time. You will absolutely learn what you need to know, and everyone I graduated with just passed the NCLEX in 75 questions (the minimum possible before the machine admits "you are a genius, no need to take more questions!") It IS manageable - nearly everyone makes it through, which means thousands of people have done it. It's not the most pleasurable way to learn nursing I don't think but again it's the fastest - depends what's important to you.

from MelissaMay: Hey everyone, I have been accepted to Drexel's ACE program Fall 2012. I have yet to be able to make it to an info session and I have some basic questions if anyone who has attended an info session could answer. 1. WHEN DO WE START?? 2. Do we need to sign up for classes? when by? how? 3. i read something about a PDA online, do we buy those or does the school provide? 4. When is tuition due? 5. What do we need to prepare for the program? (scrubs/books/etc) ANY good information from the info sessions is greatly appreciated... I'm really stressing out. My reply: Hey, I just finished the program a few weeks ago. The administration enrolls you in all your classes (there are no electives or anything). They'll send you info about the uniform you need to buy (don't bother buying goggles though, and I never wore my lab coat!) and books. Which are electronic,a nd outrageously expensive, and rarely used. Several folks went through the program without buying them, despite the lecture they give you in the beginning about how you really, really need them.. (They get a cut from the textbook people I think.) That's all the info I have regarding your questions. Good luck!

@RL2012: yes you can defer, I did when I was accepted. Just finished the program a few weeks ago. Saving money 1st is a smart idea.

I just graduated ACE (toook my NCLEX today!). The classes are all around 15th and Vine like previous poster said. Orientation was a one-day, all-day affair a few days before the ACE program started. There's not a lot of mixing between ACE students and 'regular' Drexel students, and this starts right at orientation! So no, yu don't "go with the normal one".

I just finished the program (took NCLEX today!) and found very few scholarships ("A Nurse I Am" video one was pretty much it). And my Google-fu is pretty solid, too - I worked as a 'net researcher in my former life. Even when you do find a scholarhip, the deadlines etc are nto suited to an 11 month program like ACE: for some I was not enrolled in time and others I was already too far in to qualify for the scholarhip!